WELLINGTON - Government, business and academic leaders from the United States and New Zealand have gathered in Auckland Monday to discuss cooperation in the Pacific.

The two-day United States New Zealand Partnership Forum is this year convening under the theme, "Pacific Partners the next generation," NZUS Council chairman Simon Power said in a statement.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully welcomed delegates to the sixth biennial forum, including Danny Russel, US assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific, who would be a keynote speaker.

"The US is one of New Zealand's most important partners and events like this reinforce the strong links between our two nations," McCully said in a statement.

"I would also like to welcome the other distinguished guests taking part in the forum, including senior members of the US administration, Congress, and business representatives."